Most people remember the group named, "INS."  These initials stood for the Immigration and 
Naturalization Service.  This federal agency was a part of the United States Department of 
Justice and oversaw and enforced the laws that apply to the entry of non-U.S. citizens, 
amongst various other aspects of immigration law.  INS ceased to exist on March 1, 2003.  
Today, the law enforcement agency in charge of investigations, deportation, removal, and 
intelligence in the United States is the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or 
"ICE."   

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, "USCIS," handles the administration of 
immigration services, including permanent residence, naturalization, asylum, and other 
functions.  Security at the border which was generally headed up by the "Border Patrol" is 
now run by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).  The three agencies of ICE, 
USCIS, and CBP are all agencies within the Department of Homeland Security, which was 
established in March 2003.